Colin Davis guitar recording tutorial vid...
- Thread starter AdamWathan
- Start date
I can't believe I'm the only one to mention this, but I personally think it's fucking retarded watching a guy sitting at his desk talking at a camera for the first 25 minutes. I would so much rather read all of that in text form, or if it had to be a video, put in more pictures/transitions (say what you will about his hysterically wrong advice, but at least the almighty Tad's videos cut to different places and pics), but for the love of god, this is like one of those youtube videos of some guy responding to another video ranting about his stance on it.
That being said, however, now that I've watched it, I don't find him to be too overbearing with his opinions; in fact, after reading this, I was surprised at how tactful he seemed to be, always making an effort to say "in general" and "many people like [blah], they sound great, but they can be [blah], but [blah2] is great, so try that out." I think it was really cool of him to do this, and obviously its implicit that he's speaking his opinions garnered from his experience; if some "n00b" is too retarded to figure that out, than fuck him (the n00b, that is).
The only thing that struck me as completely wrong was setting all the knobs to zero on a Tube Screamer - drive is one thing, but unless he wants the pedal to actually attenuate some of the signal and be a crazy LPF, I'd say zeroing the level and tone would be inadvisable! Also, suggesting that people use two mics and not even mention using just one kinda bothered me; I know I certainly don't wanna fuck with dealing with the phase now, and I certainly wouldn't want to when I was [even more of] a n00b. And yes, his terminology errors (cone/paper instead of dustcap/cone, GC75 instead of G12T75, etc.) were very trying, but people will figure it out.
Oh yeah, and the fact that he says "Mmmbut yadda yadda yadda"
That being said, however, now that I've watched it, I don't find him to be too overbearing with his opinions; in fact, after reading this, I was surprised at how tactful he seemed to be, always making an effort to say "in general" and "many people like [blah], they sound great, but they can be [blah], but [blah2] is great, so try that out." I think it was really cool of him to do this, and obviously its implicit that he's speaking his opinions garnered from his experience; if some "n00b" is too retarded to figure that out, than fuck him (the n00b, that is).
The only thing that struck me as completely wrong was setting all the knobs to zero on a Tube Screamer - drive is one thing, but unless he wants the pedal to actually attenuate some of the signal and be a crazy LPF, I'd say zeroing the level and tone would be inadvisable! Also, suggesting that people use two mics and not even mention using just one kinda bothered me; I know I certainly don't wanna fuck with dealing with the phase now, and I certainly wouldn't want to when I was [even more of] a n00b. And yes, his terminology errors (cone/paper instead of dustcap/cone, GC75 instead of G12T75, etc.) were very trying, but people will figure it out.
Oh yeah, and the fact that he says "Mmmbut yadda yadda yadda"
Charvelguy
Member
Actually, it used to mentioned in GP ..ooh eons ago, bass strings last longer in a studio session than guitar strings. A set of bass strings would last the entire day but I recall some guys changing out sets on a guitar 2x in a session. I don't recall who was in the article..it was a long time ago.. maybe Lukather or Tommy Tedesco.
Also, Brain Setzer recently did a scrutinzing test on string gauges and tones both while live and recording.
He seemed to be of the opinion that, at least on his rigs, that a .010 top to like a 046-048 gauge provided best overall tones. I used to be of the opinion that heavy gauges were much heavier sounding as I experimented a great deal when I was a teen using different gauges until I found a setup I liked. I was using Gibson Sonomatics, 012 to 052 and replacing the wound third. To my ears they sounded alot fuller than a setup with ...010 - .046. I ultimately did a custom gauge from .009-.048..which was well before anything like that was ever offered in a packaged set. Course, its all very expensive to change out all the time. If you have a crap or half assed mix.. whatever good you put in on the front end won't be recognized in detail anyhow.
Also, Brain Setzer recently did a scrutinzing test on string gauges and tones both while live and recording.
He seemed to be of the opinion that, at least on his rigs, that a .010 top to like a 046-048 gauge provided best overall tones. I used to be of the opinion that heavy gauges were much heavier sounding as I experimented a great deal when I was a teen using different gauges until I found a setup I liked. I was using Gibson Sonomatics, 012 to 052 and replacing the wound third. To my ears they sounded alot fuller than a setup with ...010 - .046. I ultimately did a custom gauge from .009-.048..which was well before anything like that was ever offered in a packaged set. Course, its all very expensive to change out all the time. If you have a crap or half assed mix.. whatever good you put in on the front end won't be recognized in detail anyhow.
Loren Littlejohn
Lover of all boobage.
Glenn Fricker
Very Metal &Very Bad News
Finally had some time to watch this... There's some really great stuff in here. I wish I had this video about 10 years ago when I was still in my "Why the fuck does this sound shitty?" stage of miking guitars.
-0z-
-0z-
AudioGeekZine
arsehole know-it-all
Ermz
¯\(°_o)/¯
He mentions that EMG's are compressed and 1 dimensional sounding. I might be wrong, but isn't the point of actives to give the signal more headroom?
Anyway I'm watching this vid and noting down some things I'm at odds with as I go, but I hope to pick up some new techniques and approaches, even though I don't like the guy's samples on his site.
Anyway I'm watching this vid and noting down some things I'm at odds with as I go, but I hope to pick up some new techniques and approaches, even though I don't like the guy's samples on his site.
guys.. jeez... ok, Colin misspeaks himself alot, and has some issues remembering what certain things are named, etc,... but as far as i know he's never claimed to be a great orator, and besides the video was free to view. there's plenty of info that could be useful to a beginner, at the very least as starting points from which to experiment. Besides, sifting through errors is something you have to do no matter where you choose to cull your free tuition... and often even with the paid variety.
Regarding Colin's Bay Area "old wise man" status, i can recall just over 10 years ago teaching him guitar lessons in my studio in Oakland and answering all his questions about my recording, mixing, & mastering gear... so while he's no Les Paul (father of modern multi-track recording and the namesake of the ubiquitous single-cutaway guitars of legend!) he HAS been learning, studying, and working for over a decade and may well have a thing or two of value to say... if you can just listen without factoring in the subjectivity of whether a mix or tone he has on his sample page is good or not, and stop obsessing on the lack of some kind of disclaimer... i mean, he DOES say "in general" a LOT before he states his opinions... that, in and of itself, infers the he acknowledges that there are times when his advice is NOT the only way.
DISCLAIMER ALERT: all of the stone cold facts i have stated in this post are just my opinions. if your opinions differ, dont worry.. it's ok to be wrong.
Regarding Colin's Bay Area "old wise man" status, i can recall just over 10 years ago teaching him guitar lessons in my studio in Oakland and answering all his questions about my recording, mixing, & mastering gear... so while he's no Les Paul (father of modern multi-track recording and the namesake of the ubiquitous single-cutaway guitars of legend!) he HAS been learning, studying, and working for over a decade and may well have a thing or two of value to say... if you can just listen without factoring in the subjectivity of whether a mix or tone he has on his sample page is good or not, and stop obsessing on the lack of some kind of disclaimer... i mean, he DOES say "in general" a LOT before he states his opinions... that, in and of itself, infers the he acknowledges that there are times when his advice is NOT the only way.
DISCLAIMER ALERT: all of the stone cold facts i have stated in this post are just my opinions. if your opinions differ, dont worry.. it's ok to be wrong.
Gnash
Lefty
I might show this to some of the younger bands that I produce. I'll sit em down and make em watch it before we even start. I seem to have to explain all this stuff throughout the entire goddamn process with every band anyway. This will save me some time!
Responses to threads like this one in particular are what makes being in a band full of level headed musicians damn near impossible.
You'd be surprised at how many people will give you shit over a few minutes of reading, then.
This is probably more convenient for him, and even though it's a little awkward with a few slip-ups it was probably chosen because it was more convenient and natural.
Jeff
Altitudes
Stay Frosty
Seen this before, good introduction to recording guitars. I was floored when I heard that "change your strings every 4 hours" comment but I guess it was a slip-up (?)
I must say, you guys are WAY to critical about this tutorial. He didn't come off as all-knowing but I do think there are some things I might dispute.
About the EMG 81s, I totally agree
EVO's ALL THE WAY!
I must say, you guys are WAY to critical about this tutorial. He didn't come off as all-knowing but I do think there are some things I might dispute.
About the EMG 81s, I totally agree
EVO's ALL THE WAY!Yeah, as for the EVO/X2N thing...
Chuck Fucking Schuldiner.
Steve Vai and Dragonforce... or Chuck Fucking Schuldiner.
Hmm, there's a FUCKING TOUGH ONE.
Stuff like that is why I'd rather (ab)use DiMarzio's 30-day exchange policy than pay that much attention to forums.
Jeff
Chuck Fucking Schuldiner.
Steve Vai and Dragonforce... or Chuck Fucking Schuldiner.
Hmm, there's a FUCKING TOUGH ONE.
Stuff like that is why I'd rather (ab)use DiMarzio's 30-day exchange policy than pay that much attention to forums.
Jeff
Genius Gone Insane
http://www.¯\(°_o)/¯.com
What's wrong with changing your strings every 4 hours? If you're soloing for 4 hours straight then your strings will not be 100%.
Charvelguy
Member
Also..even tho both are ceramic mag pups, comparing an X2N, which was one of the first aftermarket rail pickups coming out in the mid to latter 70's and were quite popular in the early 80's (liken to Super Dist & Super 2's of the 70's-80's) to the EVO which having been designed for Vai and marketed in early 90's is likely to be considered as having more detailed & complex tonal qualities than a X2N.
Apples and Oranges. Old school and new.
The X2N held a niche at the time as alot of guys were putting in humbuckers in a strat slanted route slot and didn't want any drop off in volume while bending a note. They were the hottest Dimazrio at the time and were marketed for guys who wanted to push old non master amps a little harder in front with a hotter signal. I also thought they were a little more top end, and a little more raw power due to the ceramic mag but IMO, still more pleasing than a BL 500 XL.
One of my fav players-Pat Thrall used a hum loaded strat with an X2N in the bridge slot during his stint with Travers and Hughes Thrall..mixed with a JCM 800..he got a very powerful tone. It really depends on the player and how you work it within your style and rig.
Apples and Oranges. Old school and new.
The X2N held a niche at the time as alot of guys were putting in humbuckers in a strat slanted route slot and didn't want any drop off in volume while bending a note. They were the hottest Dimazrio at the time and were marketed for guys who wanted to push old non master amps a little harder in front with a hotter signal. I also thought they were a little more top end, and a little more raw power due to the ceramic mag but IMO, still more pleasing than a BL 500 XL.
One of my fav players-Pat Thrall used a hum loaded strat with an X2N in the bridge slot during his stint with Travers and Hughes Thrall..mixed with a JCM 800..he got a very powerful tone. It really depends on the player and how you work it within your style and rig.
